Just Starting Out need some advice.

[Advan]

Hello All,

Im trying find out if OSCommerce will meet our requirements. Is there anybody i can contact directly or anybody on here who can help?

 

Brief

We are looking to setup an online retail portal targeting a niche vertical market. We act as an intermediary (affiliate) for a clutch of online/offline shops and encourage people to transact through our shop by offering discount and cash back on purchases.

 

Merchant vs Affiliate

The merchant (shops) offers us (the affiliate) commission/trade discount on any part sold through our website.

Example:

 

• Product X RRP from merchant= £100

- We receive 15% trade discount

- We offer 7.5% discount to buyers who purchase online through our site

• Alloy Wheel price through our site £92.50

- We give £2.50 worth of cash back points to the buyer (which can only be spent on our site and can’t be cashed in)

 

We make £5 gross profit

 

Private Classifieds

Private individuals/users need to be able to post listings on the site free of charge. The users must also have the facility to “upgrade” there parts/vehicle listings to “premium” adverts for a nominal fee.

 

Requirements

 

I need a piece of software (white label or other) that will deliver the following:

 

- Online transaction system based on the affiliate/merchant model (see above)

- Easy upload system for merchants to list stock

- Easy upload system for private individuals to post listings

- “Make Premium” option with payment architecture. (credit/debit/Paypal/site points)

- User Accounts so they can develop “cash back points”

- I Trader/eBay style trader rating for private individuals

- All compatible with VBulletin forum software (PHP Based)

 

Does anybody have any guidance?

 

Kind Regards

 

Chris

[Advan]

Anybody?

[burtonsnow8]

Anybody?

 

OSc has the functionality to do just about as much as the ability of the programmer behind it. In terms of whether or not this functionality is already built in or easily obtainable via an add on is a completely different story.

 

To me it seems regardless of the software you go, there is going to be a lot of custom code written. What i might suggest is browsing through the addons to see if there is anything that can help with what you need, reducing the amount of hired work you will need.

 

So to answer your questions: Yes, it is possible for OSC to have this sort of functionality. No it is not already built into the software. Yes, you are going to need custom code.

 

 

What I would suggest: Find someone who has worked on OSC before and whose skill meets your requirements.

[Advan]

Thanks for your response mate.

Is there anybody who you can recommend?

[burtonsnow8]

Thanks for your response mate.

Is there anybody who you can recommend?

 

I cannot say that I do, sorry. Maybe post on programmermeetdeveloper or some sort of tech site. There may be people here, but I don't want to give out names without consent.

[Advan]

Thanks for your insight mate :)